speakle

heres your new tire rating...


stock tire size : (based on your comments) ...265/70/17

new tire size: 285/70/17

"your speedometer reading with a non-stock tire is 3.5% too slow.
When your speedo reads 60 mph, you are actually traveling 62.1 mph"



so the speedo is not off by too much.


if you are below 50k on the truck, then it isnt even out of diapers yet

 

The ULSD fuel has hurt MPG at least 6%

The new NOx reducing PCM computer programming
and the exhaust pollution stuff has hurt it even more
maybe 10 to 20%

There is no arguing that both Dodge and Cummins know how to make a truck
that gets good MPG...the model year 1998 Cummins Ram proves that....
but the US EPA won't let them build that pickup anymore.

Consumer's Reports tests of all the diesel heavy duty pickups show substantially reduced fuel economy:
====
old post:
====
The September 2007 issue of Consumer Reports arrived
and has an article on page 52 reviewing full size pickups
with most written on 1500 models
but they did test 3/4 ton diesels from Dodge, GM and Ford
and had all gasoline and diesel pickups tow the same 7400 lb trailer.

High Points:
Consumers Reports says that the reliability of the Ram has now
improved enough that they make it a 'recommended' pick.

Low points:
The new diesels with the new emissions and ULSD fuel
all showed quite low MPG in 'mixed' driving and towing the 7400 lb trailer:

Ford 250 6.4L........10 MPG mixed....8.7 MPG towing
GM 6.6 Duramax....13 MPG mixed...10.4 MPG towing

Dodge 6.7. diesel...13 MPG mixed...10 MPG towing

Dodge 5.7gas........13 MPG mixed....8.2 MPG towing

The Toyota Tundra 5.7 was 15 MPG mixed and 8.4 towing
and pulled the 7400 lb trailer to 60 mph in 16.1 seconds
versus 18.9 seconds for the Ford Powerstroke
versus same 18.9 seconds for Dodge 6.7 Cummins
and 17.0 seconds for the Chevy Duramax.

Consumer Reports writes that they dislike the ride of the Tundra
and prefer the ride of the new Silverado.

The Dodge Ram matched the Tundra on dry braking from 60 mph
with 153 feet for each. It is good to see Ram brakes up to snuff finally.

sample quote:

"The Dodge Ram 1500 has improved since the last time we tested it in 2004.
It rides and handles better, and it is quieter."

This issue of Consumers Reports has
"Stop ID thieves"
on a blue cover

 

That is one thing I just dont get, they make all of these changes to reduce pollution but it hurts mileage so we end up burning more fuel. Maybe the pollution is less in the end anyway, maybe its a wash.

 

Run some B20 or additives in your fuel and get a Hypertech programmer, you'll get your 16%-26% combined loss back.

 

Speakle, You are not even close to breaking your truck in, My 04 is a 2wd and I did'nt see good numbers until 60 or 70k. Now I have 119k and enjoying 19 to 21 depending on how heavy my foot gets. Pulling my 27ft enclosed it drops pretty bad as expected. Just give it time it will get better.

 

I know that some will disagree with me on this, but during the first 5,000 miles of a diesel engine’s life can determine how well it will do for fuel mileage. I’ve seen many that were driven as a grocery getter, get poor fuel mileage, but those that were worked even moderately get better fuel mileage.

During my trucks first 5K my wife and I drove it on a 33+ hour non-stop trip to Oregon and we did the same on the way back. We also had a small load in the bed to help work the engine and help seat the rings. I now see 18-20 mpg on the Hwy when it’s empty depending on how fats I drive it. As for switching to synthetic oil I changed mine over at just over 10K and have not had any problem from doing so at that mileage.

JMHO